230 First Nations pull out of national education panel

SASKATOON — Aboriginal leaders in Saskatchewan say First Nations in the province, along with many in Quebec and Ontario, are closing the book on a national panel on education.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, which represents 74 First Nations, said 230 First Nations from Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario won’t take part in the panel’s regional meetings. They said the overarching intent of the panel is to help the federal government to create “one-size-fits-all education” legislation.

But they say that won’t take into account the diversity of cultures and languages among First Nations or respect the First Nations right to control the education their children receive based on treaty right.

“At the end of the day, the panel will consult with an unrepresentative group of First Nations across Canada and then influence federal legislation that is not aligned with our belief systems,” federation vice-chief Lyle Whitefish said in a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon.

“While the federal government issued a residential school apology that included a commitment not to repeat the mistakes of the past, this national panel seems like a step back to the ‘we know best’ colonialist attitude.”

The panel was announced in December 2010 by Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan and Shawn Atleo, chief of the Assembly of First Nations. It’s looking at options, including legislation, to improve elementary and secondary education outcomes for children who live on reserve.

According to the panel’s website, www.firstnationeducation.ca, the high school completion rate for First Nation residents on reserve is 40 per cent, compared to 56 per cent for aboriginal students in provincial public schools and 86 per cent for all Canadians.

The website states that First Nation children who attend schools on reserve are the only children in Canada whose education is not governed by comprehensive education-specific legislation, except for a limited number of First Nation children whose education falls under self-government agreements.

It says while legislation alone cannot ensure better education results, it could govern the quality of education. Some educational experts recommend the introduction of First Nation education legislation to provide the framework for reform and better results.

The panel started travelling across Canada in June to hear from First Nation leaders, parents, students, elders, teachers and provinces.

Whitefish said the work is moving forward despite objections.

“Unfortunately, the AFN, our own national First Nations organization, is not listening to us, and appear to have been co-opted by the federal government in supporting a process that will only serve to create legislation that weakens our treaty right to education,” said Whitefish.

“As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has stated: ‘There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian residential schools system to ever prevail again.’ If that is the case, then our voice should be listened to and respected.”

“With federal legislation, the federal government will assume full control over First Nations education; they will drive it, develop it, change it, and do whatever they want with it, and First Nations children will be forced to dance to their tune, again,” he added.

The AFN could not immediately be reached for comment. The panel said in an email to The Canadian Press that it would try to respond Thursday morning. It is expected to report its findings by the end of the year.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations said a parallel report from First Nations in Saskatchewan, Quebec and Northern Ontario will be delivered to the federal government and the assembly.